U.S. patent application number 11/177608 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for automated remote device meter reading.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael R. Furst, Donald J. Gusmano, Ronald M. Rockwell.
Application Number | 20060171377 11/177608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36756467 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060171377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gusmano; Donald J. ; et
al. |
August 3, 2006 |
Automated remote device meter reading
Abstract
System meter reads can be sent automatically from a document
rendering device to a remote server over a communications system
without customer intervention. Network-based systems are enabled to
automatically collect and report usage information from equipment
to remote servers. Usage information is used for billing and/or
maintenance purposes.
Inventors: |
Gusmano; Donald J.;
(Henrietta, NY) ; Furst; Michael R.; (Rochester,
NY) ; Rockwell; Ronald M.; (Rochester, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Oritz & Lopez, PLLC
P.O. Box 4484
Albuquerque
NM
87196-4484
US
|
Assignee: |
Xerox Corporation
|
Family ID: |
36756467 |
Appl. No.: |
11/177608 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60650453 |
Feb 3, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/352 ;
370/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 15/00 20130101;
H04N 1/00344 20130101; H04N 2201/0093 20130101; H04N 1/34 20130101;
G07F 9/002 20200501; H04M 11/002 20130101; H04N 2201/0039 20130101;
G07F 17/0014 20130101; H04N 2201/0091 20130101; G06Q 20/127
20130101; G07F 5/18 20130101; H04N 1/00832 20130101; H04L 67/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/352 ;
370/241 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/66 20060101
H04L012/66 |
Claims
1. An automated equipment usage reporting system, comprising: a
usage meter associated with remote equipment; and communications
hardware associated with said remote equipment and adapted to
communicate through a network with a service provider server, log
into the service provider server, identify the remote equipment to
the server and transmit usage meter data to the server.
2. The system of claim 2 wherein the remote equipment is adapted to
that it can identify itself to the server by periodically polling
the service provider server.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein identification of said remote
equipment to the service provider server includes transmission from
said remote equipment of at least one of a serial number and/or
password.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote equipment includes at
least one of a photocopier.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the remote equipment is adapted so
that it can identify itself to the server by periodically polling
the service provider server.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein identification of the remote
equipment to the service provider server includes transmission from
the remote equipment of at least one of a serial number and/or
password.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a server adapted to
accept remote equipment log ins, register remote equipment,
identify remote equipment, and receive usage meter information from
remote equipment.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein identification of said remote
equipment to the service provider server includes transmission from
said remote equipment of at least one of a serial number and/or
password.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said remote equipment includes at
least one of a photocopier.
10. The system of claim 7 wherein the remote equipment is adapted
so that it can identify itself to the server by periodically
polling the service provider server.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said remote equipment includes
at least one of a photocopier.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein said remote equipment is adapted
so that it can identify itself to the server by periodically
polling the service provider server.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein identification of the remote
equipment to the service provider server includes transmission from
the remote equipment of at least one of a serial number and/or
password.
14. An automated equipment usage reporting system, comprising: a
server adapted to accept remote equipment log ins, register remote
equipment, identify remote equipment, and receive usage meter
information from remote equipment; and a billing system adapted to
receive usage meter information for remote equipment from the
server and process the usage meter information for at least one of
billing and/or service scheduling.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein identification of remote
equipment to the server includes at least one of a serial number
and/or password associated with the remote equipment and registered
in the server.
16. The system of claim 14 wherein the server is adapted so that
the remote equipment can identify itself to the server by
periodically polling the server.
17. The system of claim 14 wherein the remote equipment includes
photocopiers.
18. A method for providing usage meter information over a network
from equipment to a server and associated billing system,
comprising the steps of: providing the equipment including a usage
meter with access to a communications network; enabling the
equipment to log into a server over the communications network and
identify itself to the server; and said equipment providing usage
information recorded by a usage meter to the server.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein identification of the equipment
to the server includes least one of: a serial number and/or a
password.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the equipment logs into the
server based on a reporting schedule.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein the equipment is registered with
the server when the equipment initially logs into the server over
the communications network; the equipment identifies itself to the
server for a first time upon initial log in and prior to providing
the usage information recorded by the meter; and the equipment
provides at least one of a serial number and a password to the
server for identification of the equipment to the server upon
initial registration with the server.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the server is adapted to receive
usage data from at least one meter associated with equipment
adapted to log into the remote server via the communications
network.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the usage data is provided by
the server to a billing system adapted associated with the server
so that the server will maintain the costs in association with the
usage data associated with the equipment.
24. The method of claim 18 wherein a billing system associated with
the remote server automatically notifies customers about equipment
associated with the customers that are or become registered with
the server for automated reporting.
25. The method of claim 18 wherein a reporting schedule is
maintained as the equipment automatically communicates with the
server based on the reporting schedule.
26. The method of claim 18 wherein the equipment includes a
photocopier, wherein the photocopier is adapted to communicate with
the server automatically in accordance with the reporting schedule
and downloads reporting instructions from the server.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] The embodiments claimed herein claim the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 60/650,453, entitled "Automated
Remote Device Meter Reading", which was filed Feb. 3, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The embodiments generally relate to rendering device meter
count information management. More particularly, the embodiments
relate to the automation of meter reading by service providers of
remote devices such as printers, photocopiers and fax machines
located at customer/leasee operational sites.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Meter counts are typically required under equipment leases
to track usage, which is used for billing and service purposes by a
leasing or servicing company (hereinafter "service provider").
Additionally, service projections for equipment can be determined
by a service provider from equipment usage data reported by an
equipment user/customer (hereinafter "customer").
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, which is labeled as prior art, meter
count information 110 located in service provider equipment 100 can
be read by a customer, e.g., such as use meters located in
photocopiers located at a customer's place of business. The
customer can provide the information to the service provider via
telephone 120, fax 130, and networked computer 140 using email or
Web form entries. Customers can sometimes access meter information
directly from the equipment through a local user interface 105.
Processes requiring human intervention are time consuming to the
customer, error prone and unreliable to the service provider.
Unfortunately, physical meter reading and reporting introduces a
human factor that can result in errors or lack of timely reporting
to the service provider.
[0005] Alternatively, some systems are automated and enable meter
reading of service provider equipment through communications
devices associated with the leased or serviced equipment. Such
systems, however, are "pull" based and are considered invasive by
customers. Such system can create customer apprehension and
dissatisfaction because of unannounced remote intrusion into the
customer's equipment or enterprise communications systems.
[0006] Accordingly, the present inventors have determined that it
would be desirable to provide improved methods and system for
obtaining leased equipment usage information. The inventors believe
that equipment metering can be improved with automated readings and
reporting of usage data.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS
[0007] It is a feature to provide improved meter reading and usage
reporting processes for leased equipment.
[0008] Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiment for a
communications device associated with equipment under lease or a
service contract (hereinafter "equipment"), e.g., such as a
photocopier, to remotely log into a server associated with a
leasing company or service provider (hereinafter "service
provider") and identify equipment to the server.
[0009] According to another feature, identification of remote
equipment to a server includes at least one of: equipment serial
number(s) and/or password(s).
[0010] According to another aspect, equipment is registered with a
service provider's billing system when the equipment initially logs
into the server.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the
server informs an associated billing system when previously
registered equipment logs in to the server or newly registered
equipment has been registered by the server after log-in or
registration is completed.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present embodiment,
equipment can identify itself with the server by periodically
polling the server.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, the
remote device provides usage data from at least one meter
associated with customer equipment to the server, or through the
server, to the billing system.
[0014] In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, at
least one of the billing system or the server automatically
notifies the customer of newly registered equipment and identifies
all equipment currently registered with the server and/or automated
billing system, (e.g., all equipment including existing and newly
registered equipment).
[0015] In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, a
customer of newly registered equipment can select which equipment
are to be added to the automated meter reading system following
registration, said selection occurring after registration of
equipment with at least one of the billing system or the
server.
[0016] In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment,
remote equipment maintains a reporting schedule whereby remote
equipment automatically communicates with the server.
[0017] In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment,
equipment maintains a reporting schedule whereby the equipment
communicates with the server automatically and downloads
instructions from the server.
[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of the embodiment, the
equipment polls itself after automatically downloading instructions
from the server and then passes data back to the server via
communications.
[0019] Advantages of the embodiment include process validation
through an entire metering chain (e.g.,
equipment-server-billing-system-server-equipment), cost savings to
service providers and customers, and increased customer/service
provider satisfaction. A service provider's equipment is
non-invasive because a customer's device polls a service provider's
server instead of a service provider's server freely logging into
and communicating with a customer's remote equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the
separate views and which are incorporated in and form part of the
specification, further illustrate embodiments of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 1 (labeled prior art) illustrates components of prior
automated reporting systems utilized in accordance with carrying
out the embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates components of an automated meter reading
system located in metered equipment are shown;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates components of a system architecture
supporting automated meter reporting as utilized in accordance with
carrying out the embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of process steps in
accordance with features of the embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The particular values and configurations discussed in these
non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to
illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2 components of an automated meter reading
system 110 located in metered equipment 200 are shown. Metered
equipment 100 in accordance with features of the embodiment
includes an automated metering system 210 for tracking system use
and reporting use to a remote server. The automated metering system
includes a usage meter 220 and network communications 230. The
usage meter 220 records usage of the equipment 200 by tracking, for
example, the number of renderings (e.g., printout) the equipment
provided during a reporting period. Communications 230 enable the
conveyance of meter information to a remote server over a data
communications network 250. Communications 230 can include hardware
in use such as an analog modem, Ethernet, and network server and
router. Communications can be over wired or wireless networks. A
memory 240 can be used to store meter information, and the memory
can also store registration information (e.g., password,
identification) and/or system updates provided by a remote
server.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, system architecture 300 in support of
automated equipment meter reporting is shown. Meter equipment 300
can communicated over a network 350 to a server 310 where the
equipment 300 is logged into the server 310 and identified. The
server 310 identifies the equipment 300 and retrieves meter
information from the equipment 300. The equipment 300 is identified
to a billing system 320 wherein meter information is processed for
billing and/or service transactions. Information from or about the
equipment can be stored in a database 330. Updates can also be
retrieved from the database 330 by equipment 300 after it has
logged into the server 310.
[0028] Although equipment 300 is shown with a direct connection
through a network 350 to the server 310, other equipment 360
through N may utilize the support of external communications
hardware 370 to communicate through the network to server 310.
External communications hardware 370 can support an enterprise
responsible for equipment 360 by monitoring communications,
creating a record of transmitted data (e.g., metering and
updates).
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow diagram 400 illustrating steps
in accordance with carrying out a feature of the embodiment is
shown. As shown in Step 410, equipment including a usage meter is
provided with access to a communications network. In step 420 the
equipment is enabled to log into a server over the communications
network and identify itself to the server. As shown in Step 430,
the equipment provides usage information recorded by the usage
meter to the server. Identification of the equipment to the server
can include at least one of: a serial number and/or a password. The
equipment can log into the remote server based on a reporting
schedule. The equipment can become registered with the server when
the equipment initially logs into the server over the
communications network. The equipment can identify itself to the
remote server for a first time upon initial log in and prior to
providing usage information recorded by the meter. The equipment
can provide at least one of a serial number and a password to the
server for its identification to the server upon initial
registration. The server can be adapted to receive usage data from
at least one meter associated with equipment adapted to log into
the remote server via the communications network. The usage
information can be provided by the server to a billing system
adapted to maintain usage information in association with
equipment. A billing system associated with the remote server can
automatically notifies customers about equipment associated with
the customers that are or become registered with the server for
automated reporting. A reporting schedule can be maintained at the
equipment automatically communicates with the server based on the
reporting schedule. Equipment can communicate with the remote
server automatically in accordance with the reporting schedule and
can download reporting instructions from the server.
[0030] The methods and systems described herein can automate what
is currently a very manual process in part of the customer.
Automating system usage recorded by a meter saves costs and ensures
accuracy.
[0031] It will be appreciated that variations of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different
systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
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